8 Ways to Become a Certified Bookkeeper
The bookkeeper certification process can be really confusing because there are so many different options to choose from, and you may have no idea what direction to go.
Bookkeeping is not a regulated field, so you aren’t required to have a certification to be a bookkeeper--as long as you know what you are doing and clients will hire you. It is not like being a doctor or a lawyer where there is an state board or national organization that forces you to comply with certain classes or certifications in order to do your work.
As a bookkeeper, you can choose to obtain different certifications through private companies. I want to walk you through how to be certified as a bookkeeper and give you eight different options on classes or resources that will help you start and grow your bookkeeping business.
However, don’t let all the options overwhelm you and stop you from starting your bookkeeping business! The most important aspects of being a bookkeeper is knowing your software, having basic knowledge of keeping books, and you’re confident you can help your clients. I personally didn’t get “officially” certified until I’d been a bookkeeper for a few years.
Download the Bookkeeper Classes and Certification Chart to compare and contrast each of the eight options.
You can also watch the video here, or keep reading.
Bookkeeper Launch
I personally have used Bookkeeper Launch. and found it valuable to add to my continued education.
Check out my 10 first impressions as I was working my way through the program. This is one of the most popular bookkeeper training courses, it’s very well-known and loved in bookkeeper circles--I’d consider it the Holy Grail of bookkeeper programs.
Within the course, you learn skills on how to be a bookkeeper, it goes through the basics of accounting principles, and it also talks about marketing your bookkeeping business. Incorporated in the course are a ton of templates that help you start your business, including letters to send to clients and how to price your bookkeeping business.
Bookkeeper Launch goes into detail about running a successful business and the concepts behind bookkeeping. They have a wonderful support system in case you have any questions as you go. It’s an all-inclusive program training on how to become a bookkeeper and how to run your business.
This is the highest-priced class on my list at $199 per month for 12 months. You can save money by just buying it in one lump sum of just under $2,000. It’s definitely an investment, but if you think of it in terms of how quickly you could earn back that money with just a few clients, it is well worth the training.
How long does it take to work through? If you work on it for about 5 hours a week, you should complete it in around four months. Once you complete and pass the exam at the end of the course, you do receive a certification through them that will add extra credibility to the services you provide clients.
If you’re not ready to invest in a larger program, Bookkeeper Launch also has a free series of training you can check out.
Bookkeeper Business Coach
Bookkeeper Business Coach is a shorter course for forming your business. It walks you through creating your website, setting up an LLC, getting a business license, picking out a name for your business, and the basics of marketing.
If you’re just starting out, this is a more affordable option at $150. Bookkeeper Business Coach will help you start your business in one month if you work through it in about 1-3 hours a week. This course is geared to the specifics of starting your business, so if you’ve never owned your own business and are ready to start bookkeeping, this is a great investment.
The Virtual Bookeeper’s Roadmap
If you’re looking to organize your bookkeeper business, The Virtual Bookkeeper’s Roadmap will help you do that. One of Veronica’s strengths is having a ton of systems in place and templates to help you out.
If you choose to take the course, you’ll learn about different apps and tech that she uses to run her practice more efficiently and how you can choose the perfect tech for your own business needs.
Veronica gives you step-by-step workflows so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, along with a plethora of checklists, templates, and forms you can use for a professional look and feel. The course also goes into how to create a smooth and stress-free onboarding experience for clients.
The course is priced at $1497 for a one-time payment, or you have an option to make nine monthly payments of $187. If you choose the payment plan, you will receive access to one lesson each month. This is a great way to take your time and really dive into the information in the course.
QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Certification
The QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor certification is an amazing resource for bookkeepers (for FREE!) that so many beginners don’t know about. This is pretty much an industry standard for bookkeepers, as QuickBooks is the most popular accounting software in the United States.
QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor training is a fast and free way for bookkeepers to gain a certification that adds credibility to their businesses. However, just to note, this certification is just for the QuickBooks software and not as much about running a bookkeeping business.
This course is FREE and takes 1-3 months to complete depending on how much time you spend on it each week. You will take an exam at the end of the course in order to gain your certification.
The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers
These two options are national institutions for bookkeepers that have been around for a while and have good reputations: The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers.
Both institutes are around $600, and if you choose to be a member of either organization, you get a discount on the class.
These classes are both a more traditional feel. You will need to do a certain amount of studying and take an exam, then you will be certified in their program. To remain certified, you will need to do a certain amount of hours of continuing education each year.
College Courses
Many colleges and universities will have some type of bookkeeping/accounting degree that you could work toward. The cost varies depending on the college and the amount of credits you need to receive your degree, but you can imagine a more traditional schooling price. It will probably cost you thousands of dollars and take you a number of years to complete.
There are some affordable online bookkeeping degrees you can receive from universities, but this route is definitely the most expensive and time intensive. You most likely would have your bachelors in accounting, which is valuable for your business if you choose that route.
You could also take al-a-carte a couple of bookkeeping classes from your local school. This is something I did, and I found it valuable as I began my bookkeeping career.
Going the school route will give you more of an intellectual knowledge about accounting and bookkeeping but not actually going to give you the hands-on practical advice that you may be looking for.
On-the-Job Training
This will give you very practical knowledge. You will understand all the daily bookkeeper tasks in real-life training. The disadvantage to this is that you won’t have the flexibility you’d want or expect as an entrepreneur starting your own business. You’ll likely get paid less (as you’ll be an employee instead of an indepent contractor. See my video here for more information). But, you will get paid while you’re learning, so that is a huge advantage as you’re starting out.
When I was starting out, I took on a few of my own clients, but I also took on a client where I was an employee for their company and went into the office once a week. It was a really great way for me to learn hands-on from professionals who knew what they were doing.
Do You Need a Certification to Be a Bookkeeper?
These are 8 great options for classes, certifications, and continued education. But the question is, do you need a certification to be a bookkeeper? The quick answer is no. All you need is to be a self-starter, willing to learn, and ready to work.
Download the Bookkeeper Classes and Certification Chart to compare and contrast each of the eight options we went through today.
Have you taken any certifications for bookkeeping that I didn’t list, or have any of these classes helped you in your bookkeeping journey?
